System for distributing and selecting audio and video information and method implemented by said system

• US 8,661,477 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2005
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nathan, Guy, Mastronardi, Tony
• Primary Examiner(s): Kumar, Pankaj
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, RUEBEN M
• Application Number:
  US11/035,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20050125833A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,325 Days
• Field of Search: 714/13, 714/15, 725/78, 725/82, 725/79, 725/61, 725/87, 725/106, 725/83, 725/92, 725/60, 379/93.26, 379/93.19, 379/93.28
• US Class Current: 725/82
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/24 using interrupt G06F13/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/60 of audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4812 by interrupt, e.g. masked
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/027 involving a payment switch or gateway
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/305 for record players
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0033 Recording/reproducing or transmission of music for electrophonic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0041 in coded form
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0058 Transmission between separate instruments or between individual components of a musical system G10H1/0083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/361 Recording/reproducing of accompaniment for use with an external source, e.g. karaoke systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/365 the accompaniment information being stored on a host computer and transmitted to a reproducing terminal by means of a network, e.g. public telephone lines
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/415 Infrared beams
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/026 File encryption of specific electrophonic music instrument file or stream formats, e.g. MIDI, note oriented formats, sound banks, wavetables digital rights management [DRM] G06F21/00; encryption H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/081 : Genre classification, i.e. descriptive metadata for classification or selection of musical pieces according to style analysis genre G10H2210/036
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/091 : Info, i.e. juxtaposition of unrelated auxiliary information or commercial messages with or between music files metadata G10H2240/075
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/181 : Billing, i.e. purchasing of data contents for use with electrophonic musical instruments; Protocols therefor; Management of transmission or connection time therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/191 : CRC, i.e. error detection using a cyclic redundancy check
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/245 : ISDN [Integrated Services Digital Network]
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/255 : Optical fibre transmission for electrophonic musical instrument purposes, e.g. hum mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/261 : Satellite transmission for musical instrument purposes, e.g. processing for mitigation of satellite transmission delays
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/265 : CATV transmission, i.e. electrophonic musical instruments connected to community antennas or cable television networks
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/291 : SCSI, i.e. Small Computer System Interface
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/295 : Packet switched network, e.g. token ring circuit-switched networks, e.g. traditional analog telephone transmission G10H2240/241
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/20 : Disc-shaped record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2529 : Mini-discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 : CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 : Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/913 : Digital audio tape [DAT] format
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/002 : Programmed access in sequence to a plurality of record carriers or indexed parts, e.g. tracks, thereof, e.g. for editing; transfer of record carriers from magazine G11B15/68, G11B17/10; G11B17/22
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/032 : on tapes G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 : on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 : Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 : Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/40 : Arrangements for broadcast specially adapted for accumulation-type receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/76 : Wired systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/79 : using downlink of the CATV systems, e.g. audio broadcast via CATV network
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/82 : using signals not modulated onto a carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/21 : Billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/23 : using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/94 : Telephonic networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/84
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 : Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 : involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 : providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 : involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 : for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 : for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 : Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 : OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 : comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 : Recoverability
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99955 : Archiving or backup

Abstract

A system for distributing and selecting audio and video information using a coaxial cable network includes a jukebox unit connected by a modulator to the cable television distribution network. A channel is allocated to the transmission of audio or video information. A device effects user interaction with the television for the remote selection of at least one audio or video information item from a plurality of information items to be transmitted by this channel using the cable network. An identifier identifies the ordering television, and a billing device accommodates for billing selections to the user.

Claims

1. A system for distributing and selecting audiovisual items on a pre-existing coaxial cable network including a plurality of channels, comprising:

a jukebox device including a mass storage device to store a plurality of digitally compressed audiovisual items and running a multi-task operating system to manage a queue of selected items and to backup the operating status of the system when a predetermined event occurs, wherein the jukebox device communicates with the cable network via a dedicated channel of the plurality of channels, and further wherein the jukebox device is connected to a telephone switching system for receiving selection information for selecting one of said audiovisual items, said telephone switching system comprising a pre-existing telephone exchange of the PABX type,

a plurality of television sets connected to the cable network for receiving a selected digital audiovisual item,

a corresponding plurality of telephone sets, each being associated with the location of a television set and connected to said telephone switching system for transmitting said selection information,

wherein the telephone switching system is configured to;

receive and recognize a specific call number dialed by any one of said telephone sets, and determine identification information identifying said dialing telephone set,

call the jukebox device upon receiving the specific call number, and

transmit to the jukebox device the identification information, and

wherein the jukebox device is further configured, when receiving said identification information, to transmit audiovisual items corresponding to said selection information to the associated television set and wherein the jukebox device is the only component added to and modified in the pre-existing coaxial cable network and the pre-existing telephone exchange portions of the system that exist apart from the jukebox device to enable operation of each said task, and

wherein said selection information is received as either voice frequencies or control data superimposed on a carrier current that is interpreted by a software interface as mouse events.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the telephone switching system is further configured to transmit to the jukebox device validation information dialed by said dialing telephone set, said validation information being dialed to validate an audiovisual items selection information shown on the associated television set.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein a selected audiovisual item will be added to the queue of selected items and will be broadcast for playback on all television receivers in the building tuned to the appropriate channel when the selected item comes up in queue.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a voice assistance module configured to guide a user in actuating appropriate keys of a telephone set.

5. A method for distributing and selecting audiovisual items on a coaxial cable network including a plurality of channels, the method comprising:

providing a jukebox including a mass storage device to store a plurality of digitally compressed audiovisual items and running a multi-task operating system to manage a queue of selected items and backup the operating status of the system when a predetermined event occurs, wherein the jukebox device communicates with the cable network via a dedicated channel of the plurality of channels, and further wherein the jukebox device is connected to a telephone switching system for receiving selection information for selecting one of said audiovisual items, said telephone switching system comprising a telephone exchange of the PABX type,

providing a plurality of television sets connected to the cable network for receiving a selected audiovisual item,

providing a corresponding plurality of telephone sets, respectively associated with the location of said television sets and connected to said telephone switching system for transmitting said selection information,

dialing a specific call number by using any one of said telephone sets,

then in said telephone switching system;

receiving and recognizing the dialed specific call number,

determining identification information identifying said dialing telephone set,

calling the jukebox device, when receiving such a specific call number, and

transmitting to the jukebox device the identification information,

the jukebox device then broadcasting, when receiving said identification information, audiovisual items corresponding to said selection information to the associated television set,

wherein the jukebox is the only component added to the network already installed on the premises in order to enable implementation of said method, and wherein no components existing in the network prior to the jukebox being provided are modified to enable implementation of the method, and

wherein said selection information is received as either voice frequencies or control data superimposed on a carrier current that is interpreted by a software interface as mouse events.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

dialing a validation information for validating an audiovisual items selection information shown on the associated television set; and

transmitting said validation information to the jukebox device via said telephone switching system.

7. The method according to claim 5, further including:

adding a selected audiovisual item to the queue of selected items; and

broadcasting the selected item for playback on all television receivers in the building tuned to the appropriate channel when the selected item comes up in queue.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising guiding, via a voice assistance module, a user in actuating appropriate keys of a telephone set.

9. A jukebox device at a location, comprising:

a multi-task operating system and hardware or software buffers assigned to each of the tasks that the multi-task operating system is configured to manage,

an interface configured to be connected to a first network to receive a signal emitted by a signal emitting device, and allocated for use and selection of information to be sent on a coaxial cable network,

a video controller circuit connected to the coaxial cable network by a modulator in order to broadcast, through a dedicated channel among a plurality of channels of said coaxial cable network, information representing presentation windows to be displayed on a television set associated with the location of said signal emitting device,

a software interface for enabling selection, by using said signal emitting device, of an audio or video item among a plurality of audio or video items presented on presentation windows displayed on said television set, said software interface transmitting the selection to the jukebox to place it in the jukebox request queue to be sent on the coaxial cable network,

wherein the jukebox device is connected to the first network and the coaxial cable network without having to re-wire either network at the location, and without having to update any components of either network, in order to directly enable operation of each said task, and

wherein said selection information is received as either voice frequencies or control data superimposed on a carrier current that is interpreted by said software interface as mouse events.

10. The jukebox device according to claim 9, wherein signals emitted by signal emitting device are interpreted by the software interface of the jukebox as mouse events on said presentation windows for enabling selection of an audio or video item.

11. The jukebox device according to claim 9, wherein the first network is a telephone network associated with a PABX telephone exchange connected to a plurality of signal emitting devices, each signal emitting device being a telephone set associated with the location of a television set.

12. The jukebox device according to claim 11, wherein signals emitted through telephone network correspond to voice frequencies emitted by the telephone set.

13. The jukebox according to claim 9, wherein the first network is the power grid associated with a box connected to a plurality of signal emitting devices, each signal emitting device being a control box plugged into the power grid and associated with the location of a television set.

14. The jukebox according to claim 13, wherein signals emitted through the power grid are corresponding to current superimposed on the carrier current emitted by the control box and intended to be extracted by the box.

15. The jukebox device of claim 9, further comprising a voice assistance module configured to guide a user in actuating appropriate keys of a telephone set.